Indie retailers warn against new employee rights as Starmer vows to ‘rip up the rulebook’ on bureaucracy

The government’s proposed ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’ could stifle job creation in independent shops and place further financial pressures on already struggling retailers, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has warned.

30 Under 30 to be announced live at the LWF

30 Under 30 is once again returning to the London Wine Fair (LWF), where we will be announcing this year’s final list live at 12.45pm on Monday 20 May.

Nick Gillett: Staffing issues yet another blow under a government failing hospitality

The UK government recently announced that it would create 20,000 new apprenticeships by reforming the complex, paperwork-fuelled, resource-thirsty apprenticeship levy system for SMEs. A move that should benefit hospitality businesses up and down the country by bringing in new blood at the beginning of their careers. Phrases like ‘cut red tape’ and ‘regulatory burdens slashed’ appear throughout the government’s official, grand announcement – but forgive me if I retain my cynicism for now. This is coming from a government that has done nothing but increase the burden on business. And I’ll come back to that shortly.

30 Under 30: Final call for nominations

Tomorrow’s deadline to nominate yourself or a colleague for Harpers’ 30 Under 30 is almost here.

30 Under 30 nominations: One week left to go!

There is just under one week left to nominate your colleagues (or yourself) for this year’s definitive guide to the industry’s up and coming talent.

30 Under 30 is back for 2024: Nominate now!

Harpers 30 Under 30 is officially back for its third year as we embark on our latest search to find the wine & spirit industry’s future leaders.

Scotland’s call to government as hospitality faces ‘continued barrage of challenges’

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) is pleading for more support to help protect the hospitality sector, as venues report the crippling impact of staff vacancies and ‘a continued wave of cost increases’.

30 Under 30: Winners revealed

Straight from the live announcement at the London Wine Fair, Harpers brings you 2023's 30 Under 30 – the definitive list of the year’s up and coming talent. 

Chronic staff shortages accelerate unprecedented hospitality wage inflation

Average wages for hospitality workers have risen 53% over the past 10 years, according to a new study released by charted accountancy firm Hazlewoods.

Nick Gillett: The big boozy, British brain drain

One in nine hospitality jobs still vacant despite pay rises

The staffing crisis is very much still underway heading into Christmas, data from CGA has revealed, with one in nine jobs in hospitality still vacant despite improvements in recruitment.

Coping with the on-trade’s staffing crisis

While a severe lack of staff to power the on-trade is having an impact on many businesses, Chris Losh looks at the factors at play beyond Covid and Brexit.

‘Critical’ staff shortages costs hospitality £21bn in trade

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels and causing nearly half (45%) of operators to cut trading hours or capacity in order to cope, a new survey has said.

'Chronic' staff crisis continues as vacancy gap widens

New figures have shown how the hospitality sector’s staffing crisis is worsening under growing stagnancy in the job market, as the gap between new job creation and people willing to enter the workforce is widening. 

Labour costs pushed ever upwards as hospitality battles to retain staff

Staffing issues continue to set back hospitality’s recovery from Covid-19, according to a new survey, which has found that nearly four out of five hospitality leaders have offered higher wages to try to retain staff.

Gin and still wine lose momentum in post pandemic new normal

After enjoying a period of meteoric growth, the UK's favourite white spirit has hit a stumbling block, with a drop in hospitality market share in 2021.

Hospitality cries for help

James Bayley dives into ‘quintuple shock’ looming on the horizon in April, as businesses call for more ongoing support to boost recovery.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Quique Dacosta, owner, Arros QD, London

With three Michelin stars under his belt, Spanish chef Quique Dacosta opened his first London venue, the paella celebrating Arros QD, in 2019. He talks to Harpers about surviving the perfect storm of Covid, Brexit and the ongoing difficulties for hospitality.

Soapbox: Why 2021’s skills shortage could be the best thing to happen to the hospitality industry

For many workers in hospitality, it’s not only low pay, but aggression and isolation that are the norm. It’s time to change things, says Simon King, former operations director for Gordon Ramsay Group and co-owner of new Surrey gastropub The Victoria Oxshott.

Long read: Top tips for a roaring recovery

All businesses were hit hard by the pandemic, though arguably none more so than the hospitality industry. Having worked with hundreds of bars, cafes, wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries across the world, Erik Wolf, executive director of the World Food Travel Association, takes us through his top tips on how beverage business managers and owners can super-charge their post-pandemic recovery.